Rampage director Brad Peyton and Lucifer showrunner Joe Henderson recently announced that they are collaborating on a film adaptation of the Skyward series. Skyward, which debuted in April 2018, is a graphic novel from Henderson and co-creator Lee Garbett.
Coming just three months after the release of Rampage and less than a month after Netflix picked up Lucifer following its cancellation on FOX, the news shines a brighter light on the series. Skyward is a graphic novel published by Image Comics in which the world has suddenly been thrown into a state of reduced gravity. The story takes place twenty years after this event, giving humanity enough time to adjust, and follows a woman named Willa Fowler. Willa is born after “G-Day” and, like everyone else, has adapted to the reality and impact of low gravity. Unlike everyone else, however, she has uncovered a dangerous plan that aims to restore gravity.
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According to a report from Variety, Sony Pictures has landed the rights to the film. While Peyton is set to direct and produce the adaptation from Henderson, who will also serve as an executive producer on the project, Jeff Fierson has been brought on to produce after having worked on Rampage alongside Peyton. Henderson confirmed the news – and his excitement – on Twitter, following the statement Peyton gave to Variety painting a broad vision for the film.
"Jeff and I are focused on making event films — regardless of budget or scope. ‘Skyward’ is a big one. We’re very excited to deliver on what an anti-gravity movie should deliver on and be working with Joe Henderson on this."
Aside from Lucifer and writing the Skyward series, Henderson has been a producer on Graceland, 11.22.63 with James Franco, and a number of other TV series. Peyton, for his part, has also directed San Andreas and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island with Dwayne Johnson, in addition to producing Netflix’s series Frontier with Jason Momoa. It has been announced that Peyton will direct San Andreas 2 with Johnson returning as well as movie adaptation of the Just Cause video games with Momoa starring, but neither film has been given a timetable or release date yet.
While Peyton has shown an aptitude for creating “event films,” as he describes them, Skyward poses a unique challenge for the director in that he won’t be able to lean on Johnson or Momoa's star quality and box office draw. It’ll be interesting to see if he selects a female protagonist that fits a similar mold, or if the role requires him to move in a different direction. In either case, everyone on set is sure to have their work cut out for them as they deliver their performances while simultaneously jumping around and flying through the air in a low-gravity environment.
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Source: Variety